SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BRACHE SPARTA F.C.

Taking its name from an area of Luton & the Russian side in vogue at the time Brache Sparta was formed in 1960. Having played in the Luton & DIstrict League at Stockwood Park till 1973, Brache with the help of the then Council, acquired Foxdell Recreation Ground and built a Clubhouse with adjacent pitch.

In 1975/6 entry to the South Midlands League was gained and after early struggles promotion was gained to the Premier League in 1985.

Following the resignation of Manager Barry Fancini and a mass exodus of players, the Club was relegated. Premier status was regained in 1988 under Barry O'Keefe. Kevin Millett then guided the team to the final of the Premier Division Cup and 2nd place in the league and a Challenge Trophy Final the following term.

Floodlights became mandatory in 1993/4.

Planning permission was refused and the Club had to groundshare at considerable expense with Hitchin Town. Due to Archie Devlin's hard work floodlights were in place by 1994/5.

Ex-Arsenal apprentice Steve Brinkman then took over the reins and having finished 3rd.& 4th in respective seasons the league title was lost by the margin of one goal in 1996/7.

1997/8 finally saw the League Championship pennant flying at Foxdell as well as appearances in the Challenge Trophy & Beds. Premier Cup Finals.

In 1996/7 & 1997/8 the F.A.Vase 3rd.Rd. was reached with over 300 people present for the Wisbech Town game in 1997.

Steve Brinkman tendered his resignaion in the summer of 2000 in order to spend more time with his family.This tragically was short lived as he died of a congenital heart disease within a year.

Mark Smith took over the mantle but despite his best efforts the Club was relegated in 2001/2 and is currently going through a rebuilding stage on & off the pitch although the Beds.Senior Cup was won in 2003/4.

Vice Chairman - Chris Juraszek

Beds Senior Trophy - 2002/3
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Div North - 1997/8
O'Brien Butchers Premier Div Cup - 1997/8
Beds Intermediate Cup - 1971/2
Beds Junior Cup - 1987/8
Luton & District League Premier Div - 1968/1970/71/72
William Pease Trophy - 1967/68/68/71/72

1975-76 Joined South Midlands League 1983-84 South Midlands League Division One runner-up Promoted to Premier Division 1985 Relegated to Division One 1987-88 South Midlands League Division One runner-up Promoted to Premier Division 1992-93 South Midlands League runner-up 1996-97 South Midlands League runner-up (lost title on goal difference) 1997-98 Founder members of Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division North Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division North Champions 2002 Relegated to Division One

SEASON
LEAGUE
P
W
D
L
F
A
PTS
P
1983-84
S MID-1
30
21
4
5
69
20
46
2*15
1984-85
S MID-P
30
3
4
23
26
85
10
16*16
1985-86
S MID-1
22
5
6
11
19
34
21
9*12
1986-87
S MID-1
26
9
4
13
31
37
31
9*14
1987-88
S MID-1
24
13
5
6
46
35
44
2*13
1988-89
S MID-P
34
8
5
21
33
64
29
16*18
1989-90
S MID-P
36
9
13
14
47
68
40
14*19
1990-91
S MID-P
38
8
7
23
37
84
31
18*20
1991-92
S MID-P
40
21
8
11
82
48
71
7*21
1992-93
S MID-P
42
29
7
6
97
41
94
2*22
1993-94
S MID-P
30
13
7
10
47
36
46
5*16
1994-95
S MID-P
45
23
15
7
85
61
84
3*16
1995-96
S MID-P
32
20
8
4
56
24
68
4*17
1996-97
S MID-P
28
19
5
4
54
20
62
2*15
1997-98
SSML-PN
28
23
2
3
75
17
71
1*15
1998-99
SSML-P
44
17
6
21
80
74
57
12*23
1999-00
SSML-P
40
19
13
8
85
48
70
7*21
2000-01
SSML-P
36
14
7
15
70
78
49
9*19
2001-02
SSML-P
38
7
4
27
45
109
25
19*20
2002-03
SSML-1
36
17
3
16
67
61
54
10*19
2003-04
SSML-1
34
9
8
17
52
69
35
13*18
2004-05
SSML-1
32
16
5
11
68
53
53
7*17

F.A. VASE

1996-97 2Q HILLINGDON BOROUGH H 3*2
  1 VIKING SPORTS A 3*1
  2 WISBECH TOWN H 1*3
1997-98 2Q CHALFONT ST PETER H 3*0
  1 LONDON COLNEY A 2*1
  2 HALSTEAD TOWN H 5*1
  3 ELY CITY H 8*1
  4 KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC A 2*2
  4R KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC H 0*3
1998-99 2 THAMESMEAD TOWN A 2*1
  3 SUDBURY WANDERERS A 1*3
1999-00 1Q CHALFONT ST PETER A 1*3
2000-01 1Q BRENTWOOD A 2*1
  2Q CLAPTON A 4*2
  1 STOTFOLD A 1*5
2001-02 1Q BEACONSFIELD S Y C O B A 1*5